U.S. patent number 6,001,070 [Application Number 09/240,561] was granted by the patent office on 1999-12-14 for facial iron.
Invention is credited to Albert Gebhard.
United States Patent |
6,001,070 |
Gebhard |
December 14, 1999 |
Facial iron
Abstract
The present invention is a facial iron comprising a heating
element and separate charging base. The facial iron heating element
has a spoon shaped heating surface for applying heat to a users
skin. The heating surface is attached to a handle having LED's for
indicating the charge state of the heating element. The facial iron
is constantly being recharged when it is in the charging base. A
thermostatically controlled circuit activates the heating element
when the temperature of the heating surface falls below a certain
temperature. It activates the heating element when the temperature
of the heating element reaches a preset temperature. The invention
also comprises a three position switch allowing the invention to be
shut off and stored in a charged condition for later use.
Inventors: |
Gebhard; Albert (Denver,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
22534044 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/240,561 |
Filed: |
January 29, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
150325 |
Sep 9, 1998 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
601/15; 601/16;
606/204.35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
7/007 (20130101); A61F 2007/0087 (20130101); A61F
2007/0086 (20130101); A61F 2007/0078 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
7/00 (20060101); A61B 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;601/1,2,15-16,18-21,69-74,118-135 ;606/204.35 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Richman; Glenn E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Patent Law Offices of Rick Martin,
P.C.
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/150,325 filed Sep. 9, 1998, abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A facial iron comprising:
a hand-held iron having a spoon shaped surface;
a power source and a heater within said iron for heating said spoon
shaped surface;
a control circuit for controlling a preset temperature of said
spoon shaped surface; and
a charger remote from said power source for charging said power
source.
2. The facial iron as in claim 1, wherein said power source
comprises rechargeable batteries.
3. The facial iron as in claim 1, wherein said charger comprises a
base for removably holding said iron.
4. The facial iron as in claim 1, wherein said control circuit
comprises:
a plurality of lights for indicating a charge status of the power
source;
a thermistor for maintaining a temperature of the spoon shaped
surface; and
means for activating said power source when said power source is
removed from said base.
5. The facial iron as in claim 4, wherein the temperature of the
spoon shaped surface is in a range of 98 to 120 degrees F.
6. The facial iron as in claim 5, wherein said iron weighs in a
range of 3 to 6 ounces.
7. The facial iron as in claim 5, wherein said power source
maintains said temperature range for over fifteen minutes.
8. The facial iron as in claim 1, wherein said spoon shaped surface
comprises a heat conductive material located at a distal end of
said iron.
9. A method of reducing facial wrinkles comprising the steps
of:
connecting a surface to a power source and a heater;
containing said surface and said power source and heater in a
hand-held iron;
charging said power source within said hand-held iron with a
charger;
removing said iron from said charger;
heating said surface with said power source and heater to a
predetermined temperature;
maintaining said surface at a predetermined temperature with a
control circuit;
applying said surface to a user's face to treat wrinkles; and
returning said hand-held iron to said charger to recharge said
power source.
10. The method of reducing facial wrinkles as in claim 9, wherein
the predetermined temperature comprises a range of 108 to 120
degrees F.
11. The method of reducing facial wrinkles as in claim 9, wherein
the power source comprises rechargeable batteries.
12. The method of reducing facial wrinkles as in claim 9, wherein
the spoon shaped surface comprises a heat conductive material.
13. The method of reducing facial wrinkles as in claim 9 further
comprising the step of automatically activating the power source
upon removing said iron from said charger.
14. The facial iron as in claim 4, wherein said switch comprises a
magnetic reed switch.
15. A method of reducing facial wrinkles comprising the steps
of:
connecting a spoon shaped surface to a power source and a
heater;
containing said spoon shaped surface and said power source and
heater in a hand-held iron;
charging said power source within said hand-held iron with a
charger;
removing said iron from said charger;
activating said power source upon removal from the charger;
heating said spoon shaped surface with said power source and heater
to a predetermined temperature;
maintaining said spoon shaped surface at a predetermined
temperature with a control circuit;
applying said spoon shaped surface to a user's face to treat
wrinkles; and
returning said hand-held iron to said charger to recharge said
power source.
16. The method of reducing facial wrinkles as in claim 9 further
comprising the step of automatically activating the power source
upon removing said iron from said charger, said step comprising
using a magnetic reed switch.
17. The method of reducing facial wrinkles as in claim 15 further
comprising the step of activating the power source upon removing
said hand-held iron from said charger, said step comprising using a
magnetic reed switch.
18. The facial iron as in claim 1 further comprising:
a three position switch, wherein a first position of said switch
causes said heater to turn on upon removal from said charger;
a second position of said switch turns said heater on by hand;
and
a third position turns said heater off when said facial iron is not
in said charger.
19. The facial iron as in claim 18, wherein said spoon shaped
surface further comprises a convex surface as presented to a
user.
20. The facial iron as in claim 18, wherein said first position
causes said rechargeable batteries to charge when said facial iron
is placed in said charger.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention relates to cosmetic devices,
more particularly to facial irons for alleviating or reducing
wrinkles on the face of a user through the application of massage
and heat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cosmetic devices know in the art are used to apply cremes and
ointments to a person's face. Heated surfaces are taught that, when
applied to the skin, the heated surface causes the creme to be more
readily absorbed by the skin. The iron used to apply the heat
generally is heated by a remote element, and is then applied to a
user's face. The iron heater is activated by plugging the iron into
a wall socket. The device warms the iron, which is then applied to
the face of a user.
Representative of the art is:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,702 (1998) to Gelfgat et al. discloses an
improvement for devices which provide local massage of the facial
skin for improvement of the effectiveness of the massage while
making the device more ergonomic.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,705 (1998) to Belcher discloses the reduction
of facial wrinkles by rolling the face and scalp with implements
having free wheeling rollers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,585 (1996) to Nash-Morgan discloses a
disposable adhesively engagable neck and facial wrinkle gathering
device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,646 (1996) to Miller discloses a jaw and neck
muscle exercise apparatus which includes a spring-loaded support
arm attached to a soft chin support on one end and to a chest plate
on the other end.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,561 (1995) to Schweisfurth discloses a massage
device for the rolling massage of skin areas and reflex zones of
the human body which includes a shaft mounted on a handle and
massage rings or rolling bodies which are freely rotatably mounted
on the shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,955 (1993) to Gueret discloses a massage device
which is adapted to be applied to the skin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,092 (1990) to Klein discloses a facial mask for
use in effecting isometric toning of facial muscles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,373 (1988) to Vogel discloses a facial ironer.
The facial ironer apparatus includes a housing which holds a
heating element having a base and a head. There is an electrical
cord connecting the apparatus to a conventional AC electrical cord
outlet. There is a thermostatic switch in the housing for
maintaining the temperature of the heating element at a
predetermined setting. The facial ironer itself is demountably
attached to the head of the heating element. The facial ironer
includes a triangular-shaped soleplate. The soleplate is heated by
the transfer of heat from the heating element.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,685 (1981) to Taelman discloses a therapeutic
heat and cosmetic applicator. A cosmetologist cleans the skin with
unscented makeup remover and lotions. Then a lubricant is applied
with a small hot iron to soften the pores. This face ironing is
followed by a herbal or seaweed steam facial, manual and deep-pore
cleaning.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,141 (1980) to Rooney discloses a mask which
completely covers the face and which has pockets in which weights
may be placed while the facial muscles are exercised.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,909 (1975) to Di Matto discloses a facial
wrinkle remover.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,493 (1970) to Robins discloses an eye and
forehead area muscle exerciser in which a portion of the face is
covered by the device to hold the facial muscles against
movement.
What is needed is a portable facial iron for applying a heated
facial message for an effective 15 to 30 minute period. What is
needed is a facial iron having a spoon shaped heating element. What
is needed is a facial iron having a temperature control circuit.
What is needed is a facial iron having a separate charger base and
rechargeable batteries for convenience and safety. What is needed
is a facial iron having an ergonomically shaped handle for improved
ease of control and leverage. What is needed is a facial iron
having LED's for indicating the charge and operational status of
the heating element. What is needed is a facial iron having a three
position switch. The present invention meets all these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial
iron for providing a controlled, heated massage to a users
face.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial iron
having rechargeable batteries.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial iron
having a spoon shaped heating element.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial iron
having LED's for indicating the charge status of the heating
element.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial iron
having an ergonomically shaped handle.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial iron
having a temperature control circuit.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial iron
having a separate charger base.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a facial iron
having a three position switch.
Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following
description and appended claims, reference being made to the
accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein
like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the
several views.
The invention comprises a facial iron having a charger base. The
facial iron contains a battery pack. The battery pack charge status
is indicated by a set of LED's. A red LED in the iron indicates the
functional status of the unit. The red LED illuminates when the
batteries are discharging and the spoon shaped heating surface is
heating. When the facial iron is in the charger base, the red LED
in the base is illuminated until the batteries in the facial iron
are fully charged. When they are fully charged, a green LED in the
base lights up. When the facial iron is removed from the charger
base the LED's go out. The batteries then heat a heating element
adjacent to the spoon shaped heating surface on the facial iron to
approximately 110 degrees F. A red LED on the iron illuminates
while the iron is in use and the batteries are discharging. The
facial iron circuitry includes a thermistor and controller designed
to maintain the spoon shaped surface at a temperature of 98.degree.
to 120.degree. F. In the preferred embodiment the range is
108.degree. to 110.degree. F. A full charge allows for up to 30
minutes of use. When the charge in the facial iron is exhausted, it
is returned to the charger base where the batteries are recharged.
The facial iron decreases wrinkles in a user's face through heated
massage. A three position switch allows a user to operate the
invention in the preferred mode; to turn on the invention
regardless of its location; or, to turn off the invention upon
removal from the charger for use at a later time.
Alternate embodiments include an iron having a 120V electrical cord
for connecting the facial iron directly to an outlet for use. The
iron maintains heat on the spoon shaped surface while it is plugged
into the outlet. Yet another alternate embodiment includes an iron
having rechargeable batteries which are recharged by connecting the
iron to a recharger which plugs into an outlet, such as the type in
use with portable rechargeable shavers. The iron is then
disconnected from the cord for use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a user massaging her face with
the iron portion of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the iron.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the iron.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the charger.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the charger.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the preferred
embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic drawing of the iron for the
invention.
FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic drawing of the charger for the
invention.
FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternate embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a schematic depicting a three position switch.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of the particular arrangement
shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also,
the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
not of limitation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a user massaging her face with
the preferred embodiment. Iron 200 is shown in use by a user. Iron
200 is applied to areas of a user's face where wrinkles W are
located, such as around a user's eyes. Use in other locations of a
user's face is possible due to the specialized shape of the spoon
shaped heating surface.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the iron. Spoon shaped heating
surface 240 is attached to the handle 205. Recess 210 in handle 205
allows for ease of holding. Handle 205 is ergonomically shaped
allowing a user to more effectively control the manipulation of the
spoon shaped heating surface. For example, placement of a user's
palm upon the back of handle 205 results in greater leverage for
applying pressure to a user's facial features, in particular,
wrinkles. Electrical contact 215 provides the connection between
the charger base (shown in FIG. 4) and the rechargeable batteries
contained within the handle 205.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the iron. Spoon shaped heating
surface 240 it attached at one end of handle 205. Spoon shaped
heating surface 240 may comprise any heat conductive material,
including metal and plastic, known in the art. It may also comprise
metal impregnated plastic, also known in the art. Spoon shaped
heating surface 240 generally describes any solid section of an
elliptically shaped solid, the convex surface of the solid
comprising the spoon shaped heating surface. The section may also
be oval or spherical. In the preferred embodiment, the spoon shaped
surface comprises a narrower end and a wider end, in a form which
may be described in part as "egg-shaped", each being convex,
thereby allowing application of the surface to a wide variety of a
user's facial features. For ease of reference, and not by way of
limitation, reference to the described surface shall be to the
"spoon shaped heating surface". Electrical contacts 215 and 230
provide the connection between the charger (not shown) and the
rechargeable batteries in the handle 205 as shown in FIG. 8. If the
red LED 220 on FIG. 2, on the iron is illuminated, this indicates
the batteries are discharging to heat the spoon shaped heating
surface. It takes approximately 40 seconds for the spoon shaped
heating surface 240 to reach the operating temperature of
98.degree. F. to 120.degree. F. The preferred embodiment operates
in the range of 108.degree. F. to 112.degree. F. The electronic
circiut described in FIG. 9 controls the temperature of the spoon
shaped heating surface to approximately plus or minus 2.degree. F.
The current to the heater element is 650 mA to 750 mA. Three AA
batteries, 3/4 size--known in the art, should maintain this heat
for up to 30 minutes. The heat in the spoon shaped surface is
thermostatically controlled by a thermostat as shown in FIG. 9.
Once use of the iron is completed, the iron is returned to the
charger for recharging of the batteries to full charge.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment. Iron 200
is received by charger 410. Electrical cord 415 is used to connect
charger 410 to any standard 120V AC supply. Electrical cord 415 may
comprise any plug type necessary to accommodate the electrical
system in the country of use, for example, 220V in Europe. Contour
420 allows the iron 200, having a co-operating contoured shape, to
be received by charger 410. The charger 410 is plugged into a
standard 120V outlet. When the iron is placed in the charger, the
quick charge of the iron rechargeable batteries occurs. The
rechargeable batteries typically consist of 3 AA batteries. The red
LED in the charger base, see FIG. 6, illuminates as the batteries
in the iron are being recharged. The current from the charger base
to the iron batteries is 80 to 120 mA. After 3-5 hours the
batteries are completely charged. Once the charging is complete the
red LED turns off and the green LED illuminates. The charger 410 is
then delivering 0 mA to the iron batteries. If the iron 200 is
removed and used and returned to the charger, the charger will
reactivate at 80 mA. The red LED will illuminate for as long as
charging takes. The green LED will then illuminate again once the
batteries are recharged, indicating the iron ready for use.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment. Iron 200 is
received by charger 410. AC power cord 415 allows connection to a
120V wall socket. Red LED 220 illuminates to indicate the spoon
shaped heating surface is heating.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the charger. Charger 410 has two
electrical contacts 610 and 615 which electrically connect to
contacts 215 and 230 in FIG. 3 to allow charging of the
rechargeable batteries. Recess 620 receives the spoon shaped
heating surface when the iron (not shown) is placed in the charger
410. Operation of green LED 625 and red LED 630 are described in
FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the charger 410 without the
iron.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation cut-away view of the preferred
embodiment. Contained within iron 200 are rechargeable batteries
805. Red LED 220 illuminates when the heating element 800, which is
connected to the spoon shaped heating surface 240, is operating.
Electrical contact 230 on the iron 200 contacts electrical contact
610 on the charger 410. This allows the batteries 805 to be
recharged while the iron is in the charger. The circuitry for
charging the iron and controlling the operation of the iron are set
forth in FIGS. 9 and 10. Charger electronics 820, known in the art,
are contained within charger 410. Iron electronics 830 as described
in FIG. 9 are contained within iron 200.
FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic drawing of the iron for the
invention. Contacts 215 and 230 are described in FIG. 3.
Rechargeable batteries 905 are in series with switch 910. Relay 915
causes relay contacts to close when the iron is placed in the
charger. Magnetic reed switch 920 turns on the heater when the iron
is removed from the charger. Magnetic reed switch 920 cooperates
with magnet 840 on FIG. 8, contained within the charger. Resistor
935 protects op amp 950. Switch 920 closes the circuit to op amp
950. Resistors 925, 930, 940 and 945 determine the voltage
delivered to the inverting and non-inverting inputs of op amp 950.
Output from op amp 950 determines the state of transistor 960. The
heater circuit comprises resistor 955, thermistor 970 and red LED
965. When the iron is being recharged in the charger, transistor
960 opens the heater circuit. When the iron is removed from the
charger, relay 915 closes switch 910 thereby providing a voltage of
3.6 V across the circuit. This causes op amp 950 to output a
voltage to transistor 960, which changes state and closes the
heater circuit. Once the heater circuit is closed, current flows
through thermistor 970 and red LED 965 thereby heating the spoon
shaped heating surface. Red LED 965 illuminates when thermistor 970
is operating. Once the voltage delivered to the circuit by the
batteries reaches a predetermined level, transistor 960 changes
state and opens the heating circuit.
FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic drawing of the charger for the
invention. AC power cord 1005 is connected to rectifier bridge 1015
through transformer 1010. Rectifier bridge 1015 rectifies the AC
signal to a DC signal. Capacitor 1020 smoothes the rectified output
waveform from rectifier bridge 1015. Red LED 1025 is in series with
resistor 1030. Green LED 1040 is in series with resistor 1050.
Resistor 1035 is in parallel with red LED 1025 and resistor 1030.
While the charger is recharging the iron, red LED 1025 is
illuminated. Current flows through SCR 1045 to contact 615 when the
iron is in the charger. As charging is completed, the voltage
across contacts 615 and 610 decreases until SCR 1045 changes state.
Variable resistor 1060 determines the resistance between contacts
615 and 610. Transistor 1055 controls the value of variable
resistor 1060. This in turn short circuits the charging current
which eliminates the charging current through the iron. Once
charging is complete the red LED 1025 goes out and green LED 1040
is illuminated.
FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternate embodiment. In this
alternate embodiment, an electric cord 1100 is used to plug the
iron 1200 directly into a 120V outlet. The iron is used while it is
plugged into the outlet. The heating element is connected in series
with a thermostat. The heating element is heated to and maintained
at 108.degree. to 120.degree. F.
FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternate embodiment. Recharger 1300
is plugged into a 120V outlet. It is connected to iron 1220 by a
plug 1210. Plug 1210 is disconnected once the rechargeable
batteries are charged. The rechargeable batteries are 6V and are
known in the art. The iron circuit is as shown in FIG. 9. In yet
another alternate embodiment, the wall unit 1300 comprises a
transformer and rectifier circuit which provides a low voltage
output to the iron 1220. A thermostat contained within the iron
maintains the temperature of the heating surface at 108 to
120.degree. F.
FIG. 13 is a schematic depicting an alternate embodiment showing a
three position switch. Three-position switch 1300, known in the
art, is connected into the circuit in FIG. 9 to operate in
co-operation with magnetic reed switch 920 and relay 915.
Switch 1300 may be placed in one of three positions. In position 1,
the invention is placed in the charger 410 for battery recharging.
In position 1, thermistor 970 is activated upon removal from the
charger, as described above in FIG. 9.
In position 2, thermistor 970 is activated regardless of the status
or location of the invention. This is a result of switch 1300
closing a circuit around relay 915 and magnetic reed switch 920,
thereby directly activating thermistor 970. In this position 2, a
user de-activates the invention by returning the switch 1300 to
position 1, for return to the charger, or position 3 as described
below.
In position 3, the thermistor or heating element circuit is
"opened" so that it is not possible for the thermistor to be
activated. This is accomplished by switch 1300 opening the circuit
connection to ground, thereby preventing activation of the
thermistor 970. This allows a user to store the invention, without
it being in the charger, with fully charged batteries for use at a
later time, for example, at a location where the charger is not
available. To use at a later time, a user simply moves switch 1300
from position 3 to position 2. Once the user has completed use of
the invention, the user places the switch in position 3 to
de-activate the thermistor circuit; or to position 1 with the
return of the facial iron to the charger base for re-charging the
batteries as described above.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be
made and still the result will come within the scope of the
invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments
disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.
* * * * *